La Finestra brings upscale Italian dining to Moraga, opened in 2018 by Chef Assadi after the success of his Lafayette establishment. It’s become the go-to spot for special occasions in town — and quietly one of the best Italian restaurants in the entire Lamorinda area.
The Experience
This is Moraga’s answer to fine dining — white tablecloths, careful service, and Italian cuisine that rewards attention. It’s where locals go for anniversaries and celebrations. The menu balances classic Italian technique with California ingredients.
The patio is particularly pleasant on mild spring evenings — Moraga’s cooler temperatures make outdoor dining comfortable even when other areas get warm.
What to Order
Antipasti
- Arancini — Arborio rice balls filled with three cheeses, bread crumb coated and fried
- Gamberi — Chilled jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce
Pasta
- Ravioli del Formaggio — Three-cheese ravioli with mushroom sage butter sauce
- Fettuccine alla Puttanesca — Seafood pasta with shrimp, calamari, salmon, olives and capers
- Lasagne alla Bolognese — Ground beef and sausage with ricotta, baked with provolone
Mains
- Pollo Marsalese — Chicken breast braised with peas and olives in Marsala sauce
- Salmone Scottato — Pan-seared salmon with roasted peppers in gorgonzola cream
- Sogliola alla Piccata — Petrale sole with garlic, white wine, lemon, and capers
Dolce
- Tiramisu — Classic preparation with mascarpone, rum, and espresso
- Warm Hazelnut Chocolate Cake — Individually baked Ghirardelli chocolate with hazelnut
The Backstory
Chef Assadi’s culinary journey brought him to Lafayette in 2003, where he first built a following for his authentic Sicilian-influenced cooking. By 2018, demand warranted a second location, and La Finestra in Moraga was born. The same attention to quality — fresh ingredients, house-made pastas, consistent execution — transferred to the new space. For Moraga residents, it means fine Italian dining without the drive to Walnut Creek or Lafayette.
Early-Summer Tip
Late May and early June are arguably La Finestra’s best stretch of the year. The patio gets long, soft evening light from about 7pm onward, Moraga’s hillside cool kicks in once the sun drops behind the ridge, and the weeknight pace is dramatically calmer than weekends. Aim for a 6:30-7pm Tuesday or Wednesday reservation — the kitchen is fresh, the service is attentive, and you’ll catch the golden hour over the Moraga hills with your antipasti.
Good to Know
- Reservations strongly recommended, especially weekends
- Closed Mondays — plan accordingly
- Lunch service Tue-Fri; dinner-only Sat-Sun
- Earliest kitchen close on Sunday (8pm) — if you’re aiming for a late-evening dinner, Tue-Thu or Fri-Sat give you more runway
- Also offers catering for events and private parties (great for graduations and family celebrations) — graduation season is peak demand, so book well ahead in May/June
- Upscale but not stuffy — Moraga casual still applies
- A 20% service charge is included on all checks (factor this in when comparing menu prices to other spots)
- Parking in the Moraga Shopping Center lot — easy access